By Phil D. Jay
Junior Witter couldn’t resist one final swipe at long-term fight target Ricky Hatton as the ‘Hitman’ finally went public with his decision to hang up his gloves. The 37 year-old Prizefighter finalist had called out Hatton with no success for five years before the Manchester City fan fought his last bout with Manny Pacquiao in 2009 and had one final dig at his arch-rival after his retirement.
Hatton, 32, called time on a glittering career which included world titles at two different weights and just two losses at the highest level in 47 bouts. Witter, who held the WBC title for two years between 2006 and 2008 before losing to Timothy Bradley, was asked recently what his favourite moment of Hatton’s career was.
“When Floyd Mayweather hit him with a left hook and he fell head first into the ring post before hitting the canvas,” ‘The Hitter’ told his local paper The Sheffield Star in a final insult to the man regarded as one of Britain’s all time greatest fighters.
Bradford-born Witter has lost four of his last seven fights, including defeats to Yassine El Maachi and Victor Lupo since losing his world title. Witter announced his intention to box on and a bout with Ricky's brother Matthew has long been touted. The former world champion may have now moved a step closer to a bout with the younger Hatton with his latest comments about his now-promoter brother.
Phil D. Jay covers the boxing scene for worldboxingnews.net
